Abuse and Neglect

Abuse, as
defined below, is not to be tolerated by anyone, including staff,
patients, consultants, volunteers, family members or legal
guardians, friends or other individuals in any nursing home.Patients have the right to be treated with respect and
dignity, free of abuse and neglect as outlined in federal
regulations concerning Patient’s Rights.

Nursing homes are not to employee individuals who
have been found guilty of abusing, neglecting, or mistreating
patients by a court of law or who have a confirmed finding entered
into a state nurse aide registry concerning abuse.

Neglect:the failure to provide goods and services necessary to avoid
physical harm, mental anguish, or mental illness.Neglect occurs when nursing home staff fail to monitor and/or
supervise the delivery of patient care and services to assure that
care is provided as needed by the patient.
Some examples of neglect might include: lack of assistance in
eating, drinking, walking, bathing, toileting, or ignoring call
bells/lights.Neglect can cause depression,
dehydration, incontinence, and/or pressure sores.

Verbal
Abuse:the use of oral, written, or gestured language that willfully
includes disparaging and derogatory terms to patients or their
families, or within their hearing distance regardless of their age,
ability to comprehend, or disability.

Sexual
Abuse:includes but is not limited to, sexual harassment, sexual
coercion, or sexual assault. Indicators of possible abuse include
bruises around breast or genital area, cuts or lacerations around
breast or genital area, clothes with blood stains, tear marks,
soreness around breast, genital, or anal area, difficult walking or
sitting, individual may withdrawal from family and friends,
individual may flinch at movements, or individual may be frightened
by opposite gender.

Physical
Abuse:includes hitting, slapping, pinching, and kicking. Indicators
of possible abuse include cuts, lacerations, welt marks- possible
sign of using restraints, burn marks from cigarettes, malnutrition
or dehydration, hair loss from someone grabbing/pulling hair, sores
on the body, open wounds, weight gain or weight loss, poor skin
conditions, unexplained injuries such as fractures and breaks,
bruises, scratches, bite marks, finger prints, frequent trips to the
emergency room, black eyes, broken fingernails, over or under
medicated, depression or withdrawal from family and friends, changes
in behavior; mood swings, or may seem frightened, teary eyed.It also includes controlling behavior through corporal
punishment.

Involuntary Seclusion:the separation of a patient from other patients, or from
her/his room or confinement to her/his room against the patient’s
will. Indicators of possible abuse include untreated sores,
malnutrition/dehydration, unsanitary living conditions, health
conditions not being cared for, dirty bed linens and clothes, a
strong odor from lack of hygiene, obvious weight loss or weight
gain, bed sores, begs for food, or needs medical or dental care.

Misappropriation of Patient Property:the deliberate misplacement, exploitation, or wrongful,
temporary or permanent use of a patient’s belongings or money
without the patient’s consent. Indicators of possible abuse include
withholding money from the elder, cashing checks without permission
of the elder, personal belongings begin to disappear, not providing
services that are needed, or unusual items charged on a credit card.

IF YOU SUSPECT OR HAVE
KNOWLEDGE OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT, YOU SHOULD REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY TO
THE:

nursing supervisor on duty.

nursing home Administrator and/or Director of Nursing.

local police.

State Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services.

State Ombudsman.

State Survey Agency.

Many states
have laws requiring the reporting of abuse and neglect.

Keep accurate records regarding the abuse or neglect
and steps you took to report it!